Metal end for mats



May 15, 1928. 1,669,759

0. w. JACKSON METAL END FOR MATS Filed JulyzS. 1927 k. (g /f INVENTOR.

Y f W ATTORNE s.

Patented May 15, 1928.

UNITED i OSCAR w. JACKSON, or NEW Yaax, N.

END FOR MATS.

Application ffiled July 23, 1927. Serial No. 12073950.

My invention relates to edges ;-for floor mate of the type that are primarily used to prevent fraying of :the edges of the :mat.

An objectof my invention is to provide an edge of this type which will insure that the mat :end will lie flat upon the :flOor to ithoreby uninimize the danger of trippingiby persons walking thereover.

The improved edge is designed to be free 19 of abrupt or sharp projections which might scratch or cut the floor or the shoes of persons.

Furthermore, the construction is such that it is practically impossible for the edge to become upturned or curled so as to produce an obstacle to stepping on to the mat.

The improved edge is of simple construction, can be cheaply manufactured and as sembled, and possesses great strength and durability.

The form of edge for floor mat probably most commonly used at present, consists of a thin sheet of flexible metal bent about a longitudinal line to encompass the edge of the mat. The metal used in this type is necessarily thin and flexible to allow bending and has very little weight. It has the inherent disadvantage of becoming broken along the bend especially near the ends after use. If the mat developes a tendency to curl, the weight of the metal edge is insufiicient to overcome this tendency, and the entire edge israised from the floor to present an obstacle over which persons may trip. and possibly suffer injury.

Another disadvantage of the old form of edge is that the thinness of the metal does,

not allow for the rivet heads or bolt heads, used to secure the metal to the mat, to be countersunk. A series of fulcrum points is thereby produced about which the edge of the mat will rock and upraise.

To obviate these objectionable features I have invented an edge for floor mats which overcomes all of the above difiiculties.

In .the accompanying drawings which show the preferred embodiments of my invention,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of one form of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side sectional view of the form shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a modified form.

Fig. 4 is a side sectional view of the form shown in Fig. 3.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the numeral 1 indicatesa =floor matof any desired material such as ithe=commonly used rubber runners for hallways. The edge of the mat is secured between metal strips or plates 2 and 3 by .rivcts 4.. The lower or bottom .strip .3 preferably ,made wider than the upper strip 2, and projects beyond .the outer edge of the upper strip. The .edge of the mat preferably terminates intermediate the outer edges ofthestrips, and when the mat is of substantialthickness, it may have a bevelled edge as is shown at 9 in Fig. 2. In order 7 to allow the strips to lie flat upon the floor the lower heads 8 01' the rivets 4 are countersunk. The upper head 7 may also be countersunk.

In this construction it is to be noted that a generally inclined edge is provided which presents no abrupt projections over which aperson might stumble.

'In the modified form shown in Figs. 3 and 4 the mat 11 is secured between strips 12 and 13 by rivets 14:. The lower strip 13 is wider than the upper strip 12, and projects beyond its outer edge. When the mat used is of slight thickness, its edge may be cut practically square as at 19 and is preferably terminated intermediate the outer edges of the upper and lower metal strips. In this form, as in the first, it is important that the lower heads 18 of the rivets 14 be countersunk, as illustrated, to allow the edge to lie perfectly flat. The upper heads 17 of the rivets may be rounded off as indicated on the drawing.

In order that the edges of the strips may conform to the general inclination of the entire edge they may have bevelled edges, such as is shown at 20.

In both of the above described embodiments of my invention the end strips, or plates have substantial width and weight. The material is preferably metal or may possibly be some other material hagipgpgmf mensurate properties. By constructing the plates in this manner, and because of the relatively heavy material employed, a turning moment about the inner edge of the lower plate is provided which will be suflicient to overbalance any turning moment that might be exerted in the oppositedireo tion in ordinary usage. Hence, if a person should tread upon the mat closely adjacent the inner edges of the strips, the edge would not be upturned to cause stumbling. The flexibility of the mat would also aid in re ducing any turning moment that might be so exerted.

Having clearly illustrated and described my invention comprising an edge for mats having the above described characteristics and properties What I desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

'1. An edge for mats comprising a pair of strips. one positioned upon the upper surface of the mat at its edge. the other positioned beneath the mat and projecting be yond the upper strip.

2. An edge for mats comprising a pair of. strips. one above and one below the edge of the mat and secured together, the lower strip extending beyond the upper strip to provide an inclined approach whereby liability of tripping is lessened.

3. An edge for mats comprising a pair of strips, one upon and one beneath the mat,

and positioned to provide a sloping edge,

the mat and strips being secured together by countersunk securing means to enable the edge to lie flat, whereby liability of tripping is lessened.

1-, A metal edge for mats comprising a pair of metal strips of substantial width and \\'eight. one above and one beneath the mat at its edge. the width and weight of the strips being sutlicient to cause the turning moment exerted by the strips about the inner edge of the lower strip to be sntlieient to overcome any ordinary moment that might be exerted in the opposite direction about the same point, to prevent, upturning of the edgand render tripping less liable.

OSCAR \V. JACKSON. 

